Durfee High School - Durfee Record Yearbook (Fall River, MA)

Page 11 text:

To the Class of 1969: First, I would like to extend my congratulations on your ac- complishments and wish you the best in the years to come. You are confronted with wonderful opportunities to improve conditions in the world. You are, whether you like it or not, what is referred to as the “gap generation The contentions against the establishment, disregard for law whether it be moral or statute is more than a little puzzling to me. Laws are made for the benefit of the entire population. But the trend is toward individual evalua- tion of the law and toward the individual to obeying or disobeying the law, depending on how he feels it applies to him. Everyone wants to do as he pleases. Fortunately, we at Durfee find hope in the overwhelming strength of the majority of our students being too much concerned in taking advantage of the opportunities offered and in preparing them- selves for the future. It would be well to remember that the rights of all should be protected but we must also remember that with all rights there are definite responsibilities. May I suggest that you continue to “play it cool” and think before you act. Do not forfeit your rights in order to foster the demands of a few dissidents. To be against something is not enough. In order to right a wrong you must have a solution to the problem. Then the generations arc able to bridge the gap and go on to better things. Principal.

Page 10 text:

To the Class of 1969: As ihc end-product of the Fall River educational plan, the high school graduate stands in a central position in our affection and expresses — in an ideal way — our belief in both education and democracy. It was our intention to develop within you an intellectual curio- sity and to awaken within you the social interests and concerns characteristic of an educated heart. It is our hope that we have successfully met all your educational needs and expectations, and that your schooling has given you insights into the strengths, the adventure, the creativity and the stunning grandeur of the 1969 space age world, its society and its enterprises. The expanding concepts of man, mankind, humanity, wealth, learning, poverty, war and peace — long institutionalized — are now being subjected to searching reviews out of which, we expect, will come — after moments of turmoil — a serene way of life, designed to enhance the inherent dignity of both man and his society. We must all, however, be prepared to accept the notion of frailty and to admit with candor that the future will not be, in all respects, perfect. Some speakers will continue to mumble their words, some leaders will stumble away from progress, some thinkers will propose error, some public problems will resist solution and some personal hopes will not be realized. But we can expect that a balance of strengths and weaknesses will move civilization towards new excellences and individuals towards greaLer satisfactions. The educators of Fall River join me in offering you congratu- lations and in wishing you a lifetime of enthusiasm, happiness and achievement. Superintendent of Schools

Page 12 text:

HALL OF FAME Top Highest Ranking Seniors ANDREW SHABSHELOWITZ SHEILA A. ASSAD MAUREEN P. COOGAN VICTORIA M. GOLEN LAURIE J. LASH STEPHEN B. YOKEN ELAINE M. RABINOVITZ JANE P. TALLMAN JOAN C. VIEIRA MICHAEL D. YOUNG President of the Students7 Activities Association RICHARD LOWN President of the National Honor Society STEPHEN YOKEN